Appliance Shed Fox Memorial Premiership

The game everyone
involved in Auckland league has been waiting for is finally
here.

After clashing in a rain-soaked and brutal Appliance
Shed Fox Memorial Grand Final last year, the Pt Chevalier
Pirates and Mt Albert Lions will go head-to-head once again,
with the winner to assume the outright lead of the
competition.

Both teams are tied at the top right now with
a perfect eight from eight record, and haven’t looked like
losing all season.

The talent in the respective forward
packs is outstanding, with ex-NRL players and local legends
everywhere.

The Mt Albert big-boppers are led by former
Junior Warrior Eddie Purcell, who is being helped along by
NSW Cup tried and tested players Tulson Caird and Jarrod
Tua.

The Pirates have a constantly changing roster, but
the quality of their depth is undoubted.

In the last
couple of weeks former New Zealand Warriors and Melbourne
Storm second-rower Wairangi Koopu has been turning out for
them, and by all accounts still has what it takes to play
club rugby league at the highest level.

Other standouts in
the pack for the Pirates have been Tevita Latu, Herman
Retzlaff, Arden McCarthy and captain Dylan Moses.

The
early advantage is with Pt Chevalier who will host this one
at a packed Walker Park.

The Pirates leak an average of
only 12 points per match, and Lions halfback Cody Walker
will have to be at his absolute best if they hope to break
down their old foes this weekend.

An intense rivalry
between two tough and skilful sides means Walker Park is the
only place to be this Saturday from 2.30pm.

In the other
Fox games this weekend Papakura travel to Northcote to take
on a Tigers side who are getting back to full strength after
a string of injuries.

Glenora and Otahuhu face off at
Harold Moody Park and Howick host the youthful Mangere East
Hawks.

Big changes are happening at Richmond, with Bernie
Perenara taking over from Ming Mafoe as the head coach of
the struggling Bulldogs.

Whether the players can respond
and register their first win of 2014 against the Marist
Saints remains to be seen, but with captain Karl Simeti
leading the way the Doggies can’t be taken
lightly.

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